*CHAPTER 4 – Dinner with the Devil*
The restaurant was exclusive — dim lighting, private booths, and music soft enough for secrets.
*Alexa* walked in like she owned the night, dressed in a satin wine-red dress that fit like a whisper. Heads turned. But she was only here for one man.
*Luxia* was already seated.
Black suit. No tie. Just power.
She slid into the seat across from him, crossing her legs slowly. "You look well."
"So do you," he replied, eyes lingering just a little too long. "You've changed."
"Or maybe I've just stopped hiding."
Silence settled. Their past friendship hovered between them, thick with everything left unsaid.
"You're back with him?" Luxia asked.
"If you mean Lixxie," she smiled, "yes."
Luxia's jaw ticked. "You trust him?"
"No one in our world is fully trustworthy."
He leaned in. "But you used to trust me."
"I used to think you saw me as more than just a friend."
That hit.
His fingers clenched slightly around his glass. "You want honesty?"
"Always."
"I hated watching you leave. I hated knowing he got what I wanted."
Alexa's heart jumped — but her face didn't show it.
"Too bad you never said that when I was still yours to have."
---
*Across town…*
Lixxie paced the floor of Alexa's penthouse. Something about the dinner didn't sit right with him. His phone rang.
*Wang Lefie*.
"She's with Luxia."
"I know."
"Do something. He's making moves."
"I already am," Lixxie said coldly.
He pulled out a flash drive. Inside: the secrets of *Willie Group* — financials, deals, vulnerabilities.
"You wanted war, Luxia?" he muttered.
"Let's go."
---
*Back at dinner…*
The tension shifted as dessert was cleared. Luxia reached out and gently touched her wrist.
"Why did you come tonight, Alexa?"
She looked at him. Really looked.
"To remind you that you can lose something without ever holding it."
She stood, her perfume trailing like a memory.
"Goodnight, Luxia."
And just like that, she left him there — speechless.
But not defeated.
---